SAN ANTONIO — On Sunday, long before Iowa State tipped off against North Carolina, injured Cyclones forward Georges Niang summoned all his teammates to his room for a meeting and to deliver a message.

"This season is a long way from being over," Niang said he told teammates.

Third-seeded Iowa State never listened to those who said the Cyclones had little chance against sixth-seeded North Carolina without Niang, an invaluable forward who broke his foot in Friday's victory against North Carolina Central.

Undermanned and undersized, the Cyclones overcame a three-point deficit with 56 seconds to play to outlast North Carolina, 85-83, in Sunday's third-round NCAA tournament game at the AT&T Center. Iowa State (28-7) advanced to play seventh-seeded UConn in Friday's East Regional semifinals at Madison Square Garden.

With the game tied in final 10 seconds, Iowa State had the ball in the hands of the right man: 24-year-old DeAndre Kane, the physical guard who has authored a story of redemption after being dismissed from Marshall last summer.

There was no way Kane was giving up the ball. He was going to drive to the basket, as he had done all game. When asked what the play was called, teammate Dustin Hogue said, "Give the ball to DeAndre and everybody get out of the way."

Kane attacked and lofted a shot high over one defender and another one who was approaching. The ball bounced off the backboard and through the net with 1.8 seconds to play.

North Carolina raced the ball toward halfcourt – the clock appeared to start late – and tried to get a timeout before the horn sounded. Roy Williams bowed his head, as if he knew the game – and the Tar Heels' impressive turnaround season – had ended. After a lengthy review by officials, the game was declared over.

Kane, who finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists, was nothing short of superb.

"DeAndre is the best guard in America," Iowa State assistant Cornell Mann said.

Aside from Kane, Niang was the player Iowa State could least afford to lose. And coach Fred Hoiberg, as skilled at exploiting mismatches as any coach in the nation, knew he had his work cut out for him Sunday.

"I was really nervous going into this one," Hoiberg said. "You have to have a collective effort, and guys definitely stepped up to fill that void."

When Marcus Paige buried a three-pointer from the top of the circle with 8:17 to play, it gave the Tar Heels a six-point lead and all the momentum. That was UNC's eighth three-pointer of the game, an encouraging sign for a team that averages just 4.2 threes per game.

Trailing by two points, North Carolina's James Michael McAdoo was fouled with 15.7 seconds remaining. Just a 53% free-throw shooter, McAdoo made both. But that set the stage for Kane's heroics.

VIDEO: How will the East Regional shake out?

USA TODAY Sports' Nicole Auerbach breaks down the Sweet 16 in the East Regional.

From the game's start, the Tar Heels, one of the nation's better offensive rebounding teams, were well positioned to control the rebounding battle. And they jumped out to an early seven-point advantage. Iowa State missed nine of its first 10 shots from the floor.

But then North Carolina's Brice Johnson was helped off the court with 14:41 to play, favoring his right ankle. That was a significant injury for the Tar Heels because Johnson, who plays 20 minutes per game, is North Carolina's best offensive big man. He did not return to the game.

"It was a big loss for us," Williams said.

And the Cyclones quickly rallied despite an uneven first-half shooting performance. Iowa State missed at least five layups in the game's first 15 minutes. At that point, the Cyclones had made 6 of 12 shots from three-point range. From two-point range? They Cyclones were 5 of 18 shooting.

Kane was the Cyclones primary offensive catalyst. But he also encountered a familiar problem: offensive fouls. Kane, who got called for two offensive fouls in the Big 12 tournament, was assessed three offensive fouls in the first 23 minutes Sunday.

But Kane had the final shot, and now Iowa State is off to the fourth Sweet 16 appearance in school history.

Gonzaga Bulldogs guard David Stockton (11) attempts a shot while defended by Arizona Wildcats forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (23) during the first half of their third-round game. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports

Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Gary Bell, Jr. (front) tries to control the ball as Arizona Wildcats guard Jordin Mayes (20) falls down in the lane during he first half of their third-round game. Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports

Wichita State Shockers forward Cleanthony Early (11) dunks the ball between Kentucky Wildcats forward Willie Cauley-Stein (15) and James Young (1) during the first half in the third round of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship at Scottrade Center. Scott Rovak, USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky's Willie Cauley-Stein (15) dunks the ball defended by Wichita State Shockers forward Darius Carter (12) and Cleanthony Early (11) during the first half in the third round of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship at Scottrade Center. Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY Sports

Wisconsin Badgers guard Josh Gasser (21) makes a 3-point shot in the second half of a men's college basketball game against the Oregon Ducks during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Benny Sieu, USA TODAY Sports

Michigan Wolverines forward Jordan Morgan (52) dunks the ball in the second half of a men's college basketball game against the Texas Longhorns during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournamentc at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Jeff Hanisch, USA TODAY Sports

North Dakota State Bison forward Jordan Aaberg (44, second from right) is defended by San Diego State Aztecs forward JJ O'Brien (20, third from right) and forward Josh Davis (22) in the first half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at Veterans Memorial Arena. James Snook, USA TODAY Sports

Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) drives to the basket against Connecticut Huskies in the first half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at First Niagara Center. Timothy T. Ludwig Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Spor

Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) drives to the basket, guarded by Oregon Ducks forward Richard Amardi (13) in the second half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Jeff Hanisch, USA TODAY Sports

Michigan State Spartans guard Gary Harris (14) dunks against the Harvard Crimson in the first half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at Veterans Memorial Arena. Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

North Dakota State Bison guard Lawrence Alexander (12, top) falls over San Diego State Aztecs forward JJ O'Brien (20) in the second half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at Veterans Memorial Arena. Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

Michigan Wolverines forward Glenn Robinson III (1) battles Texas Longhorns center Prince Ibeh (44) for a rebound in the second half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Jeff Hanisch, USA TODAY Sports

Connecticut Huskies Phillip Nolan (0) holds onto the ball against Villanova Wildcats in the second half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at First Niagara Center. Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Sports

Dayton Flyers forward Dyshawn Pierre (21) has his shot blocked by Syracuse Orange forward C.J. Fair (5) in the second half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at First Niagara Center. Kevin Hoffman, USA TODAY Sports

Harvard Crimson guard/forward Wesley Saunders (23, left) and Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45, right) fight for the ball in the second half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at Veterans Memorial Arena. James Snook, USA TODAY Sports

Oregon Ducks guard Damyean Dotson (21) and Wisconsin Badgers forward Nigel Hayes (10) fight for a rebound in the first half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Benny Sieu, USA TODAY Sports

San Diego State Aztecs guard Aqeel Quinn (10) shoots against North Dakota State Bison forward Jordan Aaberg (44) and forward Chris Kading (34) in the first half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at Veterans Memorial Arena. James Snook, USA TODAY Sports

Dayton Flyers guard Vee Sanford (43) shoots over Syracuse Orange guard Tyler Ennis (11) in the first half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at First Niagara Center. Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Sports

Villanova Wildcats forward Daniel Ochefu (23) controls the ball as Connecticut Huskies Phillip Nolan (0) in the first half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at First Niagara Center. Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Sports

Wisconsin Badgers guard Bronson Koenig (24) drives to the basket, guarded by Oregon Ducks guard Johnathan Loyd (10) in the first half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Benny Sieu, USA TODAY Sports

San Diego State Aztecs guard Aqeel Quinn (10) and guard D'Erryl Williams (11) celebrate after a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament against the North Dakota State Bison at Veterans Memorial Arena. James Snook, USA TODAY Sports

Oregon Ducks guard Joseph Young (3) passes the ball in the second half of a men's college basketball game against the Wisconsin Badgers during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Benny Sieu, USA TODAY Sports

Harvard Crimson players celebrate against the Michigan State Spartans in the second half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at Veterans Memorial Arena. Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

Connecticut Huskies guard Shabazz Napier (13) drives past Villanova Wildcats guard Tony Chennault (5) in the first half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at First Niagara Center. Kevin Hoffman, USA TODAY Sports

North Dakota State Bison guard Taylor Braun (24) shoots against San Diego State Aztecs forward Skylar Spencer (0) in the first half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at Veterans Memorial Arena. Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

Dayton Flyers guard Jordan Sibert (24) drives tot he basket past Syracuse Orange guard Trevor Cooney (10) in the second half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at First Niagara Center. Kevin Hoffman, USA TODAY Sports

Connecticut Huskies guard Ryan Boatright (11) shoots as Villanova Wildcats forward Daniel Ochefu (23)] defends in the second half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at First Niagara Center. Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Sports

Harvard Crimson forward Steve Moundou-Missi (14) celebrates against the Michigan State Spartans in the second half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at Veterans Memorial Arena. Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

North Dakota State Bison forward Jordan Aaberg (44) is defended by San Diego State Aztecs forward Josh Davis (22, left) and forward JJ O'Brien (20, right) in the first half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at Veterans Memorial Arena. Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

Oregon Ducks guard Joseph Young (3) drives to the basket past Wisconsin Badgers guard Josh Gasser (21) in the first half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Jeff Hanisch, USA TODAY Sports

San Diego State Aztecs guard Xavier Thames (2) shoots against the North Dakota State Bison in the second half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at Veterans Memorial Arena. Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

Texas Longhorns forward Jonathan Holmes (10) looks to pass in the second half of a men's college basketball game against the Michigan Wolverines during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Jeff Hanisch, USA TODAY Sports

San Diego State Aztecs players celebrate against the North Dakota State Bison in the second half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at Veterans Memorial Arena. James Snook, USA TODAY Sports

Michigan Wolverines guard Derrick Walton Jr. (10) passes the ball in the second half of a men's college basketball game against the Texas Longhorns during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Benny Sieu, USA TODAY Sports

Villanova Wildcats guard Ryan Arcidiacono (15) drives to the basket as Connecticut Huskies guard/forward Niels Giffey (5) defends in the first half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at First Niagara Center. Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Sports

Wisconsin Badgers guard Ben Brust (1) passes the ball around Oregon Ducks guard Damyean Dotson (21) in the first half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Jeff Hanisch, USA TODAY Sports

Dayton Flyers forward/center Devon Scott (40) looks to shoot as Syracuse Orange forward C.J. Fair (5) defends in the first half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at First Niagara Center. Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Sports

Michigan State Spartans guard/forward Branden Dawson (22) talks to guard Gary Harris (14) against the Harvard Crimson in the second half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at Veterans Memorial Arena. Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

Syracuse Orange guard Michael Gbinije (0) shoots in the second half of a men's college basketball game against Dayton Flyers during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at First Niagara Center. Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Sports

Oregon Ducks guard Johnathan Loyd (10) shoots a jump shot over Wisconsin Badgers guard Traevon Jackson (12) in the first half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Jeff Hanisch, USA TODAY Sports

Connecticut Huskies guard/forward Lasan Kromah (20) hits a three point shot as Villanova Wildcats guard James Bell (32) defends in the second half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at First Niagara Center. Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Sports

Michigan State Spartans guard Gary Harris (14) celebrates against the Harvard Crimson in the second half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at Veterans Memorial Arena. Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

San Diego State Aztecs guard Aqeel Quinn (10) reacts against the North Dakota State Bison in the second half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at Veterans Memorial Arena. Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

Syracuse Orange forward C.J. Fair (5) drives to the basket between Dayton Flyers forward Kendall Pollard (22) and Dayton Flyers forward Dyshawn Pierre (21) in the first half of a men's college basketball game during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at First Niagara Center. Kevin Hoffman, USA TODAY Sports